Seventy-one organisations across Oxfordshire have been nominated for the 2026 Brand the Bus competition, which will see one charity’s branding take over an electric Oxford Bus Company double-decker for a full year.

Now in its eighth year, the scheme is organised by Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel, with public voting currently open.

Luke Marion, managing director of Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel, said: “We’re really pleased to have received nominations from a wide range of fantastic causes across Oxfordshire.

“The sheer number of entrants and interest in Brand the Bus this year demonstrates the scope of the competition and the positive impact it can have on local organisations.

“Brand the Bus continues to build and grow year-on-year, and we’re incredibly proud of what it continues to achieve.”

The public can cast votes until April 30, with the 10 most popular charities progressing to a final judging panel.

Mr Marion said: “If you have a favourite, now is the time to have your say and give that local good cause or charity the best possible chance of making the top 10 and the judging panel.”

Backed by partners Get Radio and Oxford City Football Club, the competition offers a £100,000 promotional package.

The winning charity will receive a year-long full-wrap advertisement on an electric double-decker bus, along with free advertising on all Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel vehicles.

Radio advertising on Get Radio is also included, and the winner will become Oxford City’s charity of choice for the 2026/27 season.

The organisation will also collaborate with Oxford Bus Company to design the bus wrap, which is expected to be unveiled in the autumn.

A runner-up prize worth £5,000 will also be awarded, which includes on-bus digital advertising.

Last year’s winner was children’s mental health charity One-Eighty. Helen & Douglas House, the world’s first children’s hospice, was named as the inaugural runner-up.

Other past winners include Girlguiding Oxfordshire, Home-Start Oxfordshire, Blue Skye Thinking, Restore, SeeSaw, and Oxford Hospitals Charity.

The judging panel will award prizes to the organisations that, in their opinion, best meet the competition’s criteria.

Mr Marion said: “We’re now onto the voting phase of this year’s competition, with the public having until the end of April to select who they think should be the winner.”

More details about the competition and the full list of nominees are available at oxfordbus.co.uk/brand-the-bus-2026.

A letter by the 84-year-old actress to Oxford City Council has resurfaced as the greyhound racing track hits trouble.

Sports broadcaster Sports Information Services is to stop covering racing at Oxford Stadium in Sandy Lane from Monday in a move described as “disastrous” to greyhound racing.

Oxford Speedway promoter Jamie Courtney has reassured Cheetahs fans in light of the announcement that events on Wednesday will still go ahead.

Greyhound racing (Image: Photo: Fortitude Communications)

Back in 2022, Ms Margolyes wrote to Oxford City Council urging it to oppose the venue which she said is being used for “cruel blood sport” in favour of an animal-free alternative.

She wrote: “I’m not alone in thinking it would be abominable for Oxford to support greyhound racing: an archaic and – let’s face it – sadistic ‘sport’ that is responsible for so much suffering and death.

“In fact, 71 per cent of the local public with an opinion on the matter would prefer that Oxford Stadium be used for another, kinder purpose, for example as a velodrome.”

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Ms Margolyes, from Oxford, said there is “much I love about the city I grew up in” but said greyhound racing should remain “firmly in the past”.

“Let’s be clear: this is not a sport. It’s animal abuse, and it has no place at Oxford Stadium,” the Harry Potter actress said.

“This ghastly business causes thousands of dogs each year ailments ranging from broken legs to heart attacks.

“Some are even doped with drugs like cocaine, and it’s hardly surprising that many animals die as a result of being forced to race.

“But the casualties don’t end there. Once their racing days are over, many dogs are killed or abandoned in shelters that are already bursting at the seams.

“An additional 12,000 greyhound puppies may be killed every year because they’re deemed not fast enough for racing.

Oxford Stadium

“We call dogs ‘man’s best friend’, but greyhounds used for racing don’t have a warm bed to lie in or a human companion to love and care for them.

“When these sociable animals are not being forced to race, they spend 95 oer cent of their time confined to a cramped cage or kennel, often muzzled.#

“I can’t bear to think about the pain and loneliness they must experience – all for human entertainment.”

Oxford Greyhounds promoter Kevin Boothby said last week that talks are now ongoing with Premier Greyhound Racing to explore a potential contract.

Mr Boothby said at the time that the accusations by ms Margolyes and PETA are “entirely unfounded” and show they are “totally out of touch with the reality of our sport”.

“Our greyhounds are loved and are cared for before, during and after their racing careers,” he said.

The presenter is well known to audiences for working with Richard Hammond and James May on both the BBC’s Top Gear and Prime Video’s The Grand Tour.

Having spent over two decades as part of the iconic trio, Mr Clarkson also has presented Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? on ITV since 2018.

This came after he replaced former host Chris Tarrant, who had been on the programme since its inception.

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The broadcaster revealed that the game show will see two players make it all the way to the final question this series.

It has now been revealed by ITV that “at least one” contestant will be walking away with £1,000,000 in the new episodes this month.

Mr Clarkson said: “I think this may be my favourite series so far. Seeing two people get to the £1 million question was extraordinary.

“When they’re sitting there on that final question, the tension in the studio is incredible; you can really feel it. Can’t wait for people to watch it.”

READ MORE: Historic England issues statement to Jeremy Clarkson over Cotswolds pub

Mr Clarkson lives in Oxfordshire, where he bought Diddly Squat Farm, then known as Curdle Hill, back in 2008.

The Chadlington-based spot is the focus of Prime Video’s hit documentary show, Clarkson’s Farm.

With four seasons already under its belt, the popular programme is set to return next month with series five.

As many as eight new episodes are expected to be released on Prime Video, with Mr Clarkson to feature heavily once again.